Global News in Canada shows that the Kremlin on Tuesday said some of its military units were returning to their bases after exercises near Ukraine, raising questions whether Russia was moving to de-escalate the situation, even as concerns still remain of a potential invasion.
The news drew a cautious response from both Ukraine and Britain, but it remains unclear how many units were being withdrawn and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the organization has seen no evidence of this withdrawal. NATO also cautioned Russia is still planning military exercises in the Mediterranean, with the estimated 130,000 troops still surround Ukraine on all three sides.
Jackson Proskow explains why such a move could be a positive sign, but as of Monday there were still reports an invasion could happen as early as Wednesday.
In more interesting news, it seems that Canada says it will provide a $500 million loan to Ukraine, over and above the loan previously announced. Ukraine’s president made headlines on Monday after claiming during an address to the nation that a so-called Russian attack on the country could begin Wednesday. Ukraine officials later walked back those comments, but as Jackson Proskow reports that has not really calmed the situation.
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